12 arrested as police uncover gang behind ARISE TV anchor’s murder

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested twelve suspected members of a notorious armed robbery gang believed to be responsible for the gruesome killing of ARISE News anchor, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, popularly known as Sommie, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, during a robbery at Unique Apartments, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.

The suspects were arrested following a directive from the FCT Commissioner of Police for a full-scale investigation into the September 29, 2025, incident, which occurred around 3:30 a.m. The operation, carried out by operatives of the Scorpion Squad led by ACP Victor Godfrey, was said to have been guided by digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC.

According to police sources, detectives began their investigation by tracing the mobile phones stolen from the victims, a move that led to the arrest of four initial suspects. Through a combination of digital mapping and human intelligence, the team tracked the gang across several northern states before rounding up the twelve suspects believed to have participated in the deadly attack.

A senior police officer involved in the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that “the operation was intelligence-driven. We followed digital footprints that connected several of the suspects to the crime scene. From there, we began tracing their movements until they were apprehended.”

Among those arrested were Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Sani Sirajo, Mashkur Jamilu, Suleiman Badamasi, Abdul Salam Saleh, Zaharadeen Muhammad, Musa Adamu, Sumayya Mohammed, Isah Abdulrahman, and Musa Umar.

During interrogation, one of the suspects, Hassan, reportedly confessed to shooting the security guard, Barnabas Danlami, when he tried to stop the gang from entering the building. Another suspect, Sirajo, told investigators that he tried to prevent Sommie from falling from the third floor during the commotion that followed the attack. The gang also admitted to escaping in a white Honda CR-V belonging to one of the victims and sharing ₦200,000 each from the proceeds of the robbery.

Investigators disclosed that several weapons and stolen items were recovered from the suspects during separate raids. These included a fabricated AK-47 rifle, thirty-six rounds of live ammunition, a locally made pistol, a pump-action shotgun with two live cartridges, as well as mobile phones belonging to the victims. The police also recovered sharp weapons, including knives and a cutlass, alongside torchlights reportedly used during the operation.

Further arrests were made on October 8 when police operatives, acting on fresh intelligence, intercepted Musa Umar (also known as Small), Hassan Isah, and other members of the gang while they were on their way to another planned robbery operation in Maitama, Abuja.

“All the suspects have confessed to their involvement in multiple armed robberies across the Federal Capital Territory,” a police statement said. “Investigations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang who are still at large.”

Police authorities have withheld the photographs of the arrested suspects to avoid jeopardizing the ongoing investigation. A video clip of an AK-47 rifle recovered near Zuma Rock has also been submitted as part of the case evidence.

The killing of the ARISE News anchor has sparked widespread outrage among journalists and residents, with many calling for improved security in Abuja’s residential districts. As the investigation continues, the FCT Police Command has assured the public that no effort will be spared in ensuring justice for Sommie and other victims of violent crime in the city.